NOC Accelerates Petroleum Storage Facility Construction at Rohini River Bank

The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has expedited the construction of a petroleum storage facility at the Rohini river bank in Rupandehi. According to Engineer Hiramani Khanal, the construction of the embankment at the Rohini rivulet, located at the border of Omsatiya and Rohini rural municipalities, is 70% complete. The construction activities are based on an assessment of the flood situation over the past 50 years.

The Rohini rivulet flows to the north and west of the land where the NOC is constructing the storage facility. A retaining wall has been built on the north side, while a gabion wall has been constructed on the west side of the site.

The new storage facility is being developed on approximately 14 bighas of land purchased along the Parasi-Bhairahawa road section, as the existing storage capacity at the Bhalbari depot is limited and close to human settlements. This new facility will be able to sustain the petroleum demand of Lumbini Province for 20 days. The NOC is building storage depots in various locations across the country to increase the storage capacity of petroleum products.

Project Coordinator Pradeep Yadav explained that the storage tank project, costing Rs 3 billion, will include three tanks with a storage capacity of 2,100 kilolitres of diesel, two tanks for 1,600 kilolitres of petrol, and three tanks for 70 kilolitres of kerosene oil. Once the new facility is operational, the Bhalbari depot will be relocated to the Rohini river bank.

Yadav shared that the design of the project, being handled by Kathmandu University, will be completed by mid-October. The foundation stone for the project is set to be laid in November, with a target completion date by the end of 2083 BS.